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Cancer 'not always down to chance'

In order to lessen their risk of cancer, people using assisted living may want to rid themselves of the idea that developing cancer is purely due to chance, after comments from one expert.

Dr Ian Lewis, associate director of research at Tenovus, said that research has shown some 50 per cent of cancers could be prevented if people made healthier lifestyle choices.

Eating healthier food, taking regular exercise and drinking alcohol only in moderation can all cut cancer risk, according to the expert.

"There is still a common misconception that in all cases developing cancer is purely down to chance. However, we know that as many as half of all cancers could be prevented if we made healthier lifestyle choices and many cancers are treatable if they are detected early enough," explained Dr Lewis.

This follows research from the World Cancer Research Fund which revealed that UK women are at a 17 per cent higher risk of developing cancer by the age of 75 than the European average.